Archival warns shutting down Binaliw landfill if..

Local

CEBU CITY Mayor-elect Nestor Archival Sr. has warned the operator of the Binaliw landfill that its operations may be halted if it fails to address persistent environmental violations and health complaints raised by nearby communities.

Archival, an environmental engineer by profession, said his administration will closely evaluate the landfill’s compliance with environmental laws and sanitation standards once he assumes office on June 30.

“Dugay na kaayong reklamo sa mga tawo. Kabaho, ang tubig nagdagayday padulong sa ubos. In fact, nireklamo ang Consolacion ani. Kinahanglan pangitaan ug paagi,” Archival said in an interview, citing long-standing issues such as foul odor, untreated wastewater, and alleged water contamination.

The landfill, operated by Prime Integrated Waste Solutions Inc. (PIWS), has been the subject of growing concern from residents in Barangay Binaliw and the neighboring town of Consolacion. The site also functions as a materials recovery facility (MRF) but has repeatedly drawn criticism for operational lapses.

Archival said PIWS will be given a chance to comply, but failure to correct deficiencies could lead to eventual closure, in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“Kung dili gyud sila muatiman, together with DENR, tagaan nato ug warning. Ug dili gani mulihok, ato nang iclose eventually. Pero in a diplomatic way — tagaan nato silag chance,” he said.

In previous assessments, the Cebu City Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB) found that the landfill had violated Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, by engaging in open dumping, a practice prohibited under the law.

SWMB head Ma. Emma Ramas said the volume of waste and lack of proper controls have turned the MRF into what effectively operates as an open dumpsite.

Despite confirming the violations, the SWMB previously chose not to sanction PIWS, instead encouraging the firm to improve its operations.

Public pressure has intensified in recent years. In September 2023, over 150 residents of Binaliw, led by the Sta. Ana Homeowners Association signed a petition calling on City Hall to act on the landfill’s stench, fly infestation, and reported water contamination.

Some barangay officials from Consolacion also raised alarm over wastewater flowing into their communities.

Beyond the landfill, Archival said his administration will focus on reducing the city’s daily waste generation, which currently stands at around 600 tons. He plans to reinstate a policy of not collecting unsegregated waste and push for composting of biodegradable garbage.

“Ibalik nato ang ‘no collection’ policy kung dili gyud isegregate. Katong malata, ibutang sa composting. Ato gyud ni ipa-organize,” he said.

PIWS took over the Binaliw facility in 2022 from ARN Central Waste Management Inc. and markets it as the country’s first large-scale MRF, with equipment that reportedly processes up to 1,000 tons of solid waste per day, reducing landfill waste to just 20 percent.(TGP)